Method and system for producing a temperature profile in a food preparation container

Abstract

A temperature-controlled container includes a container having a temperature source incorporated into at least a portion of a sidewall of the container or into a retrofit influencer mounted proximate the container; and a power coupler, coupled to the temperature source, for receiving a power line coupled to a power source for operating the temperature source. In a preferred embodiment, the container is adapted to operate in conjunction with a power mixer. The method for processing one or more ingredients of a food recipe includes the steps of regulating a temperature source disposed in a wall of a container adapted for use with a mixing machine system, the container holding the one or more ingredients with the temperature source regulated to establish a desired temperature profile for the container appropriate for the recipe and/or the ingredients, the temperature source coupled to a power source through a power line coupled to an exterior port of the wall; and engaging the container with the mixing machine system; and thereafter operating the mixing machine system while the temperature source is being regulated.

1 . A food preparation mixing system, comprising: 
 a food-preparation mixer motor supported by a stand, said mixer motor driving one or more mixing implements;    a bowl, coupled to said stand, for containing said one or more mixing implements during a mixing operation;    a temperature influencer, coupled to said bowl, for influencing a temperature of a content of said bowl during said mixing operation;    an electronic temperature controller, coupled to said temperature influencer, for setting said temperature.    
   
   
       2 . The mixing system of  claim 1  wherein said temperature controller sets a temperature gradient for said temperature to control a period for transitioning said bowl from a current temperature to a desired value for said temperature.  
   
   
       3 . The mixing system of  claim 1  wherein said temperature controller includes a heating influencer.  
   
   
       4 . The mixing system of  claim 1  wherein said temperature controller includes a cooling influencer.  
   
   
       5 . The mixing system of  claim 1  wherein said temperature influencer is integrated into said bowl.  
   
   
       6 . The mixing system of  claim 1  wherein said temperature influencer includes a retrofit influencer for communicating a temperature source to said bowl.  
   
   
       7 . The mixing system of  claim 1  further comprising a mixing operation controller coupled to said mixer motor for setting a duty cycle for said mixing operation.  
   
   
       8 . The mixing system of  claim 7  wherein said mixing operation controller is included in an external housing and controls said duty cycle by controlling a power source for said mixer motor.  
   
   
       9 . The mixing system of  claim 8  wherein said mixer motor includes a power cord for accessing said power source and wherein said power cord is communicated to said power source through said mixing operation controller.  
   
   
       10 . The mixing system of  claim 7  wherein said mixing operation controller includes one or more preset static duty cycles.  
   
   
       11 . The mixing system of  claim 7  wherein said mixing operation controller provides for dynamically varying said duty cycle.  
   
   
       12 . The mixing system of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor for detecting a mixing operation parameter.  
   
   
       13 . The mixing system of  claim 12  wherein said parameter is a condition of the contents of said bowl during said mixing operation.  
   
   
       14 . The mixing system of  claim 12  further comprising an indicating system responsive to said mixing operation parameter to indicate a value for said mixing operation parameter during said mixing operation.  
   
   
       15 . The mixing system of  claim 1  wherein said bowl is coated with a wear-resistant non-stick coating.  
   
   
       16 . The mixing system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said one or more mixing implements is adapted for contacting a bottom of said bowl and stirring a portion of said content during at least a portion of said mixing operation.  
   
   
       17 . The mixing system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said one or more mixing implements includes a temperature-storage capacity for changing said temperature of said content during an extended mixing operation.  
   
   
       18 . A mixing method, the method comprising: 
 a) influencing a temperature of a content of a bowl of a food preparation mixing apparatus during a mixing apparatus, said bowl coupled to a stand supporting a food preparation mixer motor driving one or more mixing implements and said bowl containing said one or more mixing implements during said mixing operation; and    b) setting said temperature using an electronic controller.    
   
   
       19 . The mixing method of  claim 18  further comprising: 
 c) setting a duty cycle of said mixer motor using said electronic controller coupled to an external power supply cord of said mixer motor.    
   
   
       20 . In a meal preparation system having a chef personally invest a first quantity of time in a stirring-while-cooking process and a second quantity of time in a plurality of non-stirring-while-cooking processes said first quantity and the second quantity defining a total preparation time, a method of increasing the plurality of non-stirring-while-cooking processes, the method comprising: 
 a) automating the stirring-by-cooking process using a temperature-influencing mixing system having an influencer for influencing a temperature of a content of a bowl of said mixing system to a desired food-preparation temperature during a mixing operation of said mixing system while controlling a duty cycle of said mixing operation; and    b) monitoring said automated stirring-by-cooking process using a third quantity of time less than the first quantity of time; and    c) increasing the second quantity of time by about the first quantity minus the third quantity wherein the total preparation time is substantially unchanged.